Name: Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup cocoa; ¾ cup sugar; ½ cup oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup milk; 2 cups confectioner’s sugar; 3 tablespoons milk; ¼ cup Halloween sprinkles

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 5 reviews

If you’re looking to wow your friends, family, or little ghouls and goblins this season, you’re in the right place. Nothing says festive quite like a batch of homemade donuts, and I’m going to share my all-time favorite Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe that’s spooky, sweet, and seriously irresistible. Trust me, these donuts are soft, chocolatey, and topped with a glossy glaze and festive sprinkles — perfect for any Halloween celebration or just a cozy treat at home.

🤎

Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, making it easy to whip up without a special trip.
Perfect Chocolate Flavor: The cocoa in the batter keeps the donuts chocolatey but not too heavy – just right for dipping in glaze.
Quick Baking Time: Ready in under 40 minutes, so you don’t have to wait all day for your treat fix.
Fun, Festive Finish: The glossy chocolate glaze with sprinkles makes these donuts a colorful and fun Halloween hit every time.

The image shows a white plate with six donuts stacked in a pile on a white marbled surface. Each donut has a lavender colored icing with a smooth texture evenly covering the top. On top of the glaze, there are many small sprinkles in orange, black, yellow, and purple colors including round, rod-shaped, and pumpkin-shaped pieces. One extra donut with the same decoration is placed to the upper right of the plate, and two more similarly decorated donuts are partially visible on the left side near two glass bottles filled with milk. A folded orange and black checkered cloth lies to the right of the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe plays a role to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. They combine to give you donuts that are moist and fluffy with just the right touch of sweetness without overwhelming the chocolate notes. Here are some tips on choosing your ingredients!

All-purpose flour: This gives the donuts structure while keeping them tender—nothing fancy needed here.
Baking powder and baking soda: They’re the dynamic duo that make your donuts rise so beautifully fluffy.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the chocolate and sweetness.
Cocoa powder: I recommend using natural cocoa for a deep chocolate flavor; it’s the star of these donuts.
Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and a slight crunch to the donut crust.
Oil: Using oil keeps the donuts moist and tender better than butter would in this recipe.
Eggs: They bind everything together and add richness.
Vanilla extract: It uplifts the chocolate flavor with a subtle warmth.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps make the batter smooth and easy to work with.
Confectioner’s sugar: For the glaze — it melts perfectly to create a silky finish that holds the sprinkles.
Halloween sprinkles: The fun, festive touch that makes these donuts stand out at any party.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how versatile this Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe is. You can absolutely switch things up depending on what your crowd loves or any dietary needs you might have. Plus, adding your own twist makes the recipe truly your own.

Chocolate lovers’ dream: I sometimes fold mini chocolate chips into the batter for extra melty spots that everyone adores.
Vegan adjustment: Swap eggs for a flax “egg” and use plant-based milk to keep these donuts egg-free and just as tasty.
Spiced-up version: Adding a pinch of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice makes these feel extra Halloween-y and perfect for fall mornings.
Glaze variations: If chocolate glaze isn’t your thing, try a simple vanilla glaze or even a caramel drizzle to mix it up.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pans

First things first: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your donut pans well with cooking spray. I’ve found this step crucial so your donuts pop right out after baking without any sticking or broken edges. If you don’t have donut pans, muffin tins can work—just adjust baking time slightly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. I love sifting these ingredients together—it helps avoid lumps and makes folding the batter easier and smoother later.

Step 3: Whip the Wet Ingredients

In a larger bowl, whisk your sugar and oil together until it looks fluffy and combined well. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time—don’t rush this! Each egg needs a minute or two to fully incorporate. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma.

Step 4: Combine and Fold Batter

Now pour in the dry ingredients and milk into the wet mix. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until just combined. This step is your moment to be tender—overmixing will make the donuts tough instead of nice and light.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pans and Bake

Scoop about 3 tablespoons of batter into each donut cup. Don’t fill them to the brim; leave room for rising! Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the largest donut comes out clean. When done, let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Chocolate Glaze

While your donuts cool, whisk together confectioner’s sugar with milk until you get a smooth, thick glaze. If it gets too thin, add a bit more sugar; if too thick, add a little milk—aim for a consistency that coats the back of a spoon beautifully.

Step 7: Dip, Decorate, and Set

Dip the tops of cooled donuts right into the glaze so each one gets a shiny coat. Place them on parchment paper, then sprinkle the Halloween sprinkles over the glaze before it dries. This part is always fun — I love turning this into a little decorating party with kids or friends!

Let the donuts sit until the glaze is fully set. Then, you’re ready to enjoy these festive treats!

💡

Pro Tips for Making Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe

Don’t Skip the Cooling: Make sure your donuts are completely cool before glazing—warm donuts will melt the glaze and it won’t set properly.
Use Parchment Paper: After glazing and decorating, place donuts on parchment to keep the sprinkles neat and cleanup easy.
Be Gentle When Filling Pans: Using a small spoon or piping bag helps control batter and avoids overfilling donut molds.
Store in Airtight Container: Leftover donuts stay soft longer when kept airtight but separate layers with parchment to keep glaze intact.

How to Serve Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe

A white plate holds five chocolate donuts stacked in a loose pile, each covered with a smooth, light purple glaze. Bright orange, purple, black, and yellow sprinkles of different shapes and sizes=

Garnishes

I personally love adding a mix of orange and black sprinkles, little candy eyeballs, or even edible glitter on top to give these donuts that extra spooky vibe. Sometimes I serve them with a side of whipped cream or a drizzle of white chocolate to keep things playful and colorful.

Side Dishes

These donuts pair wonderfully with a warm drink like spiced hot chocolate, pumpkin spice latte, or even a simple cup of coffee to balance out the sweetness. For a party spread, I like to put together a colorful fruit platter with berries and sliced apples to round out the treat table.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I’ve had great fun arranging these donuts on a tiered cake stand decorated with fake spider webs and mini pumpkins. You can also wrap them individually in clear bags tied with orange or black ribbon, making cute party favors or classroom treats. Presentation definitely makes these donuts feel even more festive and magical!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep the glaze intact, I place parchment paper between layers and make sure the container isn’t too tight to avoid squishing the donuts.

Freezing

These donuts freeze really well—just freeze them unglazed, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to eat, thaw at room temperature and then glaze and decorate fresh. This way, your glaze stays fresh and doesn’t get soggy.

Reheating

If you have leftovers that have lost a bit of their freshness, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave makes them soft and delicious again. Just avoid reheating glazed donuts too long or you’ll melt the sprinkles off — short bursts work best.

FAQs

Can I make these Halloween donuts without a donut pan?

Absolutely! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin for a slightly different shape. Just fill the cups a little less and reduce the baking time by a minute or two, keeping an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
How can I make this recipe vegan?

You can swap the eggs with flax eggs (mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) and use a plant-based milk instead of dairy milk. Also, use a neutral oil like vegetable or coconut oil to keep the texture just right.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

The glaze is best made right before dipping the donuts so it stays fresh and glossy. However, you can prepare it an hour in advance and keep it covered tightly at room temperature; just give it a quick stir before using if it thickens.
What’s the best way to store Halloween donuts with chocolate glaze and sprinkles?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature layered with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They’re best enjoyed within two days for optimal freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Halloween Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and Sprinkles Recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to make. Every year, I’m amazed how these simple ingredients come together to create donuts that look festive, taste rich, and bring a smile to everyone’s face. I can’t wait for you to try it and share these joyful treats with your loved ones — it’s a sweet way to celebrate the spooky season together! Happy baking, and enjoy every decadent bite.